Cooper's goldenbush facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cooper's goldenbush |
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Ericameria
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Ericameria
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| Species: |
E. cooperi
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| Binomial name | |
| Ericameria cooperi (A.Gray) H.M.Hall
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Ericameria cooperi, also known as Cooper's goldenbush, is a cool desert plant. It is a type of shrub that grows in parts of North America. You can find it in the dry, sunny areas of southern Nevada and California. It also grows in Baja California, which is in Mexico.
This plant belongs to the sunflower family. This family is one of the largest plant families in the world.
Contents
What is Cooper's Goldenbush?
Cooper's goldenbush is a small to medium-sized shrub. It usually grows to be about 1 to 3 feet tall. It has many branches that spread out.
Leaves and Stems
The leaves of Cooper's goldenbush are long and thin. They can look like tiny threads. They are usually smooth, meaning they don't have hairs. These leaves help the plant save water in its dry home.
Flowers and Seeds
This plant produces many small flower heads. These heads often grow in a flat-topped cluster. Each flower head is quite small. It contains about 6 to 7 tiny flowers called "disc florets." Unlike some other plants in the sunflower family, Cooper's goldenbush does not have "ray florets." Ray florets are the petal-like parts you see on a typical sunflower.
The flowers are usually yellow or golden. This is why it's called "goldenbush." After flowering, the plant produces small seeds. These seeds help the plant spread and grow new plants.
Where Does Cooper's Goldenbush Live?
Cooper's goldenbush is a desert plant. It loves dry, sunny places. It is often found in rocky areas or on slopes. It can grow in different types of desert soils.
Desert Homes
- California: It grows in the southern and eastern desert regions. This includes parts of the Mojave Desert.
- Nevada: You can find it in the southern parts of Nevada.
- Baja California: It also lives in the desert areas of Baja California, Mexico.
These desert environments are very tough. Plants like Cooper's goldenbush are special. They have adapted to survive with little water and lots of sun.
Types of Cooper's Goldenbush
Scientists have found two main types, or varieties, of Cooper's goldenbush:
- Ericameria cooperi var. bajacalifornica (Urbatsch & Wussow) Urbatsch
- This variety is found mainly in Baja California.
- Ericameria cooperi var. cooperi
- This variety grows in Baja California, California, and Nevada.
These varieties are very similar. They have small differences that scientists use to tell them apart.
